KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail is expected to generate more than 70,000 jobs and the spillover effects is estimated to be RM209bil in Gross National Income.

MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd announced on Thursday the project would also create opportunities for professionals, skilled workers, and students from all over the country to work along the corridor of the 335km alignment within Malaysia.

“In addition, more than 60 civil work packages will result in over 5,000 sub-contract packages opened to local firms which will stimulate the growth of local industries. More than 40% in values of the civil work packages will be allocated to Bumiputera companies,” it said.

It also expected RM209bil in GNI contribution based on spill over effects in the rail and supporting industries as a result of developing HSR capabilities in 2035.

Image credit : The Star

“Opportunities for Malaysian contractors are plenty in these civil work packages ranging from advisory, engineering and design, certification, testing and commissioning. Keeping the job pipeline local will in turn contribute directly to the Malaysian economy”

Based on existing strength of local rail companies, there would be opportunities in: infrastructure planning, project management and civil works (end-to-end activities); installation, testing and commissioning.

The HSR is a strategic project between the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore that aims to facilitate a 90-minute travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

The PDPs will not only ensure successful delivery of the KL-SG HSR project civil works on time and budget but at the same, build the local supply chain and human capital for the HSR industry.

MyHSR Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal said: “MyHSR Corp supports the push for localisation and has at the start of this procurement process emphasised the importance of local players in the project.

“However, given that HSR is new in Malaysia, we have also asked our local players to partner with HSR expertise globally to ensure that we build a safe and efficient HSR,” he said.

“Opportunities for Malaysian contractors are plenty in these civil work packages ranging from advisory, engineering and design, certification, testing and commissioning. Keeping the job pipeline local will in turn contribute directly to the Malaysian economy,” he added.

The CEO of YTL-THP Datuk Seri Azmi Abdul Aziz said the HSR project will be transformative for businesses, including those outside the customary rail supply chain.

“We are committed to delivering the project with a focus on sustainability, and creating new education, training, and R&D opportunities.

“We expect the southern alignment contracts to be awarded mainly to local companies, impacting SMEs in sectors as diverse as construction and manufacturing to communications and digital technologies,” he added.

Director of MRCB Gamuda consortium Datuk Azmi Mat Nor said the new rail connection will create socio-economic benefits in terms of enhanced competitiveness, productivity and skill sets for our country.

“The services industry, namely finance, education, tourism, and health are among the sectors that will experience greater demand. In addition, constructing the civil works for HSR will require a workforce equipped with knowledge relevant to Industry 4.0 and in this regard, our people will be upskilled on the use of technological tools to ensure the efficient delivery of this project.

“Digital upskilling will in turn increase their marketability and employability which will position them on the path to higher income for better quality of life.

“Local contractors will also build on their expertise as they work on this monumental rail link that is set to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leading economic powerhouse,” Azmi said.